Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), Saturday 29 January 1831, page 3


líolítc Ufport,

Hugh M* Nulty was charged with steal-ing four shillings in money, throe razors, a pair of drill trowsers, nnd one shirt, belonging to Nicholas Kelly, the proprietor of a barber's shop near the King's Wharf, who alleged that he left the prisoner in charge of his. premises on Sunday last, and, on returning, found both him and the articles abovo montioned missing. Ko offered nothing in his de-fence, and Was theroforo committed to take his trial on the charge.

Ledbetter v. Jones.-This was an application from an apprentice, to the Bench, against his master, for striking him several blows on the head and body, but no marks wero visible; and as it appeared that the lad has formed habits of inebriety and evil con-nexions, for indulging in which Mr. J. had only in-flicted a moderate chastisement, was ordered to re-turn to his duty.

Barnet Burns, a seaman of the brig Elizabeth, appeared on a summons to answer a very grave complaint, to wit, pulling the nose of one James Nance, of the same vessel. The complainant, it appeared, took the liberty of calling the defendant a convict, which not being the case, and such lan-guage appearing to the latter at least unbecoming, he, in return, sans cérémonie, took the liberty of leading the former about the decks by his proboscis, like a pig by the snout. " Words are but wind," but the law deeming " the laying on of hands" an act not to be tolerated, and highly punishable, the Bench, in consideration of the insult first offered by the complainant, merely ordered the defendant to enter into his own recognisances, to the amount of £lO, to preserve the peace for twelve months.

. An unlucky wight of a husband, completely sick of matrimony, applied for a summons against his wife. Tho ground of all his sorrows appeared to be, that the tongue of his said spouse knew no lati-tude, though he, poor man, was but too well ac-quainted with its longitude ; and that having at sundry times, and in divers ways, exhausted his fund of ingenuity in endeavouring to direct it in a middle course, he had hit upon the expedient, as a dernier resort, of having her brought before the Court, when it would no doubt have an opportu-nity of hearing, and judging accordingly, whether he had not reason to seok for remedy. The worthy Magistrate, in a most condoling and sympathetic manner, assured the grief-lorn Damon that he hear-tily pitied his case ; but that were he himself (ye powers, forbid it !) placed in a similar situation, he would consider the attempt to stop a windmill in full sail, by the strength of his arm, as fruitless as to silence, or even to direct aright, the tongue of such a woman as the complainant had described his loquacious rib to be ; and therefore recommended him, as the only thing in his power, to return home and exercise patience.

A woman was then placed at the bar for drunken-ness, and discharged, with an admonition to return

to her husband and conduct herself better in future

She, however, expressed her fears of receiving some violence at his hands if she returned, on which she was remanded till he should be sent for. On his arrival, she said he was in the habit of frequently beating her, and with such severity that her whole body was discoloured by blows. A female, the wife of the office-keeper, who examined her person, found this to be the case, and she was therefore brought forward to make an affidavit of the fact, in order that protection might be afforded her. At this however she seemed much affected, and declared her unwil-lingness to swear-against, or injure in any way whatever, him who was her husband und the father .of her children. The Bench, after expressing their admiration of such feeling, and seriously remon-strating with the husband on the impropriety and inhumanity of such conduct, advised them to go home and endeavour to live more happily for the

future.

William Crowhurst, a private of the 57th regi-ment, stationed at Longbottom, appealed on a sum-mons to answer the complaint of Messrs. Nicholls, for impounding some mares and foals their pioperty, and exacting an exorbitant sum for damages. There was another summons also, against the poundkeeper for the same, and Mr. Merritt, the butcher, asserted that it is a common practice with the soldiers of that station, to let cattle out of their paddocks, and drive them to the pound, laying damages where none have been sustained. Considerable argument took place, after which, the Bench discharged both cases with costs, cautioning the soldier that his conduct was illegal.

William Rtigers and Michael Cooney, wero charged with fighting in the street ; the former sentenced to ¿lay a fine of five shillings to the poor for being drunk, and provide two sureties for preserving the peace ; the latter discharged, being tho first offence.

John Leach, an assigned servant to Mr. Stephen, for being drunk and insolent to his master, was

ordered to receive 50 lashes.

Johanna Spelling was charged by Mrs.Mary Ogle, to whom she is assigned, with walking off, taking her blanket and quilts, but no permission. This is one .of Johanna's habitual faults, and she was therefore .sent to the third class of the factory for one month, and returned to government employ.

. Joseph Jackson, an assigned .servant to Mr. David -Campbell, was accused by Mrs. Hall, of Castlereagh street, in whose charge his master had left him during a temporary absence from town, with being' abusive. She wished to have him turned in to government employ, but not having any authority so to do, the Bench sent him to the barracks till his master's return.